Tuesday, 15 May

The Telegraph Vitality Junior Golf Championship 2018 is launched

The Telegraph today announced the launch of The Telegraph Vitality Junior Golf Championship 2018.

The competition is regarded as the unofficial ‘major’ of junior golf and has helped produce major stars of the future including Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and Melissa Reid.

It is open to anyone aged under 18 at midnight on 1 January 2018.

This year, the tournament celebrates 34 years, marked by a fantastic new location: PGA Catalunya Resort, Barcelona.

With its Stadium Course widely regarded as the best in Spain, PGA Catalunya Resort on Catalonia’s Costa Brava has been voted one of the ten best in Europe by Golf World Magazine. The Stadium Course is rated as Nº1 in Spain and PGA Catalunya Resort won the award for ‘Best Golf Resort’ in Europe at the IAGTO Awards 2014.

Paul McGinley said: “My support and admiration for the Telegraph Vitality Junior Golf Championship is long-standing and hardfelt. It’s not just about playing golf – the whole experience is an essential part of the finalists’ education as golfers and young people. All who enter can say that they played in a competition which has been won by some of the greats including Justin Rose, Jodie Ewart and many others. It’s a brilliant championship to be involved in and I wish it continued success and excellence.”

Adam Sills, Telegraph head of sport, said: “Over the years, The Telegraph Junior Golf tournament has produced winners who have become some of golf’s biggest names. We look forward to an exciting year at PGA Catalunya Resort.”

2017 boys’ champion Max Hopkins, who at just 15 could feature in finals week three more times, said: “The win is always in the back of my mind and I’m looking forward to the next three years. I learned that par golf will get you a long way and that you don’t always have to go low if you are steady.”

2017 girls’ champion Annabell Fuller said: “There are so many who have won this and gone on to win big championships. One day I hope I can follow in their footsteps.”

Neville Koopowitz, the chief executive officer of Vitality, said: “We are delighted to be the title sponsor of the Telegraph Vitality Junior Golf Championship. This great event has helped launch the careers of some of the best British and Irish junior golfers who in turn have inspired other young people to actively engage in sport and live healthy lives.”

David Plana, PGA Catalunya Resort’s chief executive, said: “It is a privilege for us to host such a prestigious event and we look forward to welcoming the youngsters competing for the
2018 title on our Stadium Course. PGA Catalunya Resort is proud to be associated with an event with a history of introducing the next generation of stars. We wish all the players the best of luck.”

Notes to editors:

For details on how to enter The Telegraph Junior Golf 2018, please visit: